WYOMING, MI -- Family and friends of Takunda Mavima who filled several rows of a Wyoming courtroom silently wiped away tears this afternoon as the 17-year-old entered, holding his mother’s hand, for a probable cause hearing.

Seconds later, he was wrapped in hugs after waiving the hearing and opting to stand trial in Kent County Circuit Court.

His supporters gathered in a nearby parking lot, holding tightly to one another.

Mavima wiped away tears as he returned the embraces.

The past few weeks have been tough for many at Wyoming Park High School, following the deaths of two students — Krysta Howell and Timothy See — in a May 20 car crash in Wyoming.

Police say Mavima was behind the wheel when the car went off an exit ramp from the eastbound Ford Freeway onto Chicago Drive just after 4 a.m. Three other passengers also were injured.